My Latest Finished Project

I made a huge picnic blanket for this summer.  I can't wait to use it.  I got the idea when I went to quilt guild with my mom last summer.  During show and tell a fellow member showed one she had made.  I've been planning to make one ever since.

I just re-read the above paragraph and realize how old I sound talking about going to quilt guild.  I know I've always had this preconceived notion that only little old ladies go to quilt guilds and quilt bees.  I won't lie to you.  There are plenty of  "older" ladies in attendance but they aren't all old and there are lots of fun and creative ladies there regardless of age.

There are a couple of things that makes it so great.  First, its size.  It is approximately 6 feet by 7 feet, which means several maniacs can fit on it at one time.  Second, is the backing.  It is backed with a canvas painters tarp.  The tarp adds weight for making it easy to spread out and keep down.  It also is supposed to be naturally water resistant which will be awesome for the beach this summer. Third, it rolls up into an nice burrito of a blanket for storing and toting.  And last, but definitely not least, it is bright and colorful.  No one will have any trouble finding our spot.

I used these instructions to make my blanket.

Jenn

Finding the Positive

Ruby and Eliza Claire just came downstairs abuzz about the bags Charlotte is making for them. Ruby's is to hold her "detective stuff," and Eliza Claire's is for her "science stuff."

When asked what fabric Charlotte was using I was told she
Had gotten it from my stash. I have a drawer full of fabric specifically for their use. They are free to get anything in it, at any time, without permission.

If they want fabric from my stash they have to ask first. That way I'm sure they aren't using something I have plans for or one of my more expensive fabrics, you know the ones from a quilt store.

The fabric she chose was not slated for a specific fabric - positive. It was from a quilt store - negative. She was sewing on her own - positive. She was making something for someone else - positive. She felt confident tackling a project without help - positive. She disobeyed the rules - negative.



My gut reaction was to get mad and give her consequences. Luckily, I had 10 seconds to evaluate the situation before she got downstairs. I decided it was already sewn and the positives outweighed the negatives and gently reminded her of the rules and complimented her on her work.

Honestly, my fabric is more modern and bright that the stuff they have access to without asking. So my fabric loving self totally understands her choice.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

I've lost my mind

I must be crazy. I have now officially signed up for two different monthly quilting activities. A block of the month and a modern block club. I have never taken a beginning quilting class. The only knowledge I have is by watching my mom. I'm probably in way over my head. My plan is to have fun, hopefully learning something and end up with a finished product I'm not embarrassed to show.

I know getting out of my comfort zone is good for me. It stretches me. Now I'm hoping I enjoy it and stick with it for the whole year.


Jennifer

Priorities

It's been a long and full day. Many things did not get done that should have.

After coming home around 9:45 from a meeting, I should have made time for laundry,


And dishes, I won't show you but it's as bad as the laundry.

Instead, I did today's Valentines,


And worked on Eliza Claire's sleepover bag, it's almost done.



Yes, the house is a mess, but my kids feel loved and important. The other stuff can wait.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Time Travel Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time Travel Day happened sometime in May and I never got around to uploading the pictures.  The kids came home from school one day talking about what they wanted to be for time travel day, which was coming up two days later.  Rehm wanted to be a Roman emporer, Charlotte wanted to be a goddess and Ruby and Eliza Claire both wanted to be cave people.  My first thought was, "Good luck with that!" and then for some crazy reason I decided to indulge them and try to make costumes.

Rehm and Charlotte thought they were going to use their sisters white bed sheets to make their costumes.  I knew this was a really bad idea as I knew the state the sheets would come home in.  I got the crazy idea that I could sew costumes!  Yeah, I know, crazy thinking, especially since I had not had the sewing machine out in at least 10 years. 

I came up with a plan for the costumes and headed off the the fabric shop.  When I left the fabric shop with way too much money in supplies I had that crazy sinking feeling "Crap! Now I have to actually do something will all this stuff!" Suprisingly, they all turned out exactly as I invisioned. 

The good news is, the next time anyone needs a toga, Egyptian, goddess costume, I've got it covered.  Ruby had me cut the jagged edge off of her dress and hem it so she can wear it this summer.  I'm sure we will get a lot of use out of these costumes.  And, even if we don't, they were worth the time and effort to be "The Coolest Mommy, Ever!" for at least a day.

Oh, Rehm got to school and someone told him it looked like a dress.  We had to look at pictures of statues of Roman emperors, who were all wearing white drappy things, then he came to terms that he really was appropritately attired for his character and was fine with it.  Gotta love the internet.